LTFRB to hear fare plea next year

A petition filed by a lawmaker for the reduction of fares of taxis, UV Express, airport taxis and public utility buses (PUBs) because of a recent series of diesel price rollbacks will be heard by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on January 9, 2015 at the LTFRB’s main office.

A notice of hearing had been transmitted by the board to Rep. Manuel Iway of Negros Oriental who filed a petition on December 17, 2014 requesting the LTFRB for reduction of the flag-down fare for taxis from P40.00 to P30 and from the current P3.50 to P2.50 for every succeeding 300 meters nationwide and of the PUB fare from P10 to P8 for the first 5 kilometers and from P1.85 to P1.50 for every succeeding kilometer.

Iway is a former board member.

The hearing, according to LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez is aimed at responding to concerns not only of the congressman but also consumers.

Iway had based his petition on declining diesel prices, which are now pegged at P31.15 per liter from as high as P47.75 per liter three years ago.

Included in the petition is reduction of airport taxi’s flag-down rate of P70 for the first 500 meters and P4 for every succeeding 300 meters.

The notice of hearing stated that the petitioner has 15 days prior to the date of the hearing to publish the notice in a newspaper of general circulation.

The petitioner shall also submit proof of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements.

The LTFRB will allow parties contesting or opposing approval of the proposed fare reduction to file in written form their position prior to the hearing date.

Both parties must also appear to submit their position papers on the date.